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Spicy boudoir poses and pin-up-style portraits with an assortment of props, or babies playing with hats and splashing in the bath. Sandy Puc’ specializes in these and other styles of photography. When the award-winning photographer isn't snapping shots, she shares her love of photography and connects with budding shutterbugs worldwide through speaking engagements and services such as Sandy Puc’ University and Ukandu––a store for photography tools. In Denver, she runs photography courses where students go from learning the basics of DSLR cameras to photographing a live model and receiving group critiques. When she’s not discussing and teaching photography, Sandy practices it along with her colleague Helen Noakes during sessions with kids, high school seniors, families, and individuals.

Element One Photography's owner and lead photographer Kim Kowalczik pays great attention to every detail about her business. Ms. Kowalczik assembled everything in her studio, from the vibrant backdrops, to the professional lighting, to the staffers themselves. She works alongside a professional team of photographers and certified makeup artists, who in turn work closely with photo subjects of all ages. They capture families, newborns, couples, and graduating students, being sure to combine both posed and candid shots. Photogs can also work with pets, which is rare considering they typically refuse to appear in anything but film. Additionally, Element One Photography isn't confined to its studio. Its photographers travel on-location for photo shoots in homes, parks, or other photogenic locales.

The all-female staff at Memories Photography foster a relaxed and welcoming environment during boudoir photo sessions. They encourage women to let loose and be themselves in front of the camera, whether they're dressing up or down. With the same relaxed approach, photographers also shoot weddings and engagement sessions as well as high-school-senior portraits. The studio also sells lingerie and corsets for clients' convenience.

Husband-wife team Bill and Kelli Nixon have captured unforgettable moments at hundreds of weddings. Bill, who served for years as a wedding cinematographer, has an excellent eye for lighting, while Kelli is known for her keen sense of timing and framing, making them a powerhouse team when it comes to shooting everything from engagement pics to family portraits to clown college graduation photos. And, in addition to immortalizing special events, the pair also breaks down all the techniques involved with capturing that perfect shot during digital photography workshops for budding photographers.

The shutterbugs at Janssen Photography divide their time between two scenic locales where they capture subjects around charming outdoor grounds or inside one of two contemporary studios. At the Lakewood site, a historical Victorian home nestles amid 2 acres of scenery that include a pond, waterfall, gazebo, and a 1940s vintage pickup truck. The Littleton studio rests on 2.5 acres of coalmining land, where a rustic cellar and a stone waterfall create evocative photo backgrounds. Once photographers have snapped sophisticated family photos, whimsical child portraits, and memorable senior photos, they retouch these images and immortalize them in print form. When they aren't snapping shots on their home turf, Janssen's photographers go on location to chronicle weddings, shoot publicity photos, and document fake lunar landings.

Before becoming business partners, Jonathan and Lindsay Betz fell in love in the shadow of the St. Louis Arch. When they first met, John was just beginning a photography career while volunteering as a firefighter and Lindsay was a music therapist serving children with special needs. After their marriage, they both agreed that the perfect backdrop for their new life together needed more mountains and fewer geometry-inspired landmarks, so they went on road trips to find the perfect place to build a home and raise a family. They eventually landed in Colorado Springs, where their two children now frolic through grassy fields while Jonathan snaps photos amid the Rockies.
A member of the Professional Photographers of America, Jonathan's work has graced the pages of the New York Times. When he isn't capturing the candid smiles of high school seniors or families, or chronicling the happiest moments at weddings, he stays busy in the lab, retouching each image he captures to ensure that all colors are balanced and all Waldos are accounted for. He also hosts four-week, six-week, and one-day workshops, during which he fills students in on fundamental skills, image editing, and how to turn a photography hobby into a business.

Groupon Guide

“We can make anything look sexy.”A bold statement, perhaps, but it’s easy to trust coming from boudoir photographer Lori Sapio. The 24-year industry veteran has shot for publications like Vogue Italia and Playboy, so she clearly knows a thing or 10 about sexy. Of course, Vogue sexy and Playboy sexy are two very different things, and that’s kind of the point here. At her Chicago studio, Revival Pinups, the photographer resists forcing some cookie-cutter definition of sexy onto clients. “I let it be a collaboration,” Lori said, “so my clients have their own voice.” So if you’re a first-time model, there’s your first tip: speak up. The idea of a boudoir shoot might seem inherently daunting, but you only have to do what you’re comfortable with. We talked to Lori about what happens in your typical photo shoot, including eight things you don’t have to do.You don’t have to know what you’re doing.“For most people, it starts as a nerve-racking experience,” Lori said. “It’s like an exercise class and I’m their instructor. I instruct them the whole way and help them with their posing. Most people don’t have any idea [what to do], or they had some ideas before they walked through the doors, but everything kind of goes away once they come in.” (That doesn’t mean you can’t come in with ideas. Feel free to bring pictures, Pinterest boards, or magazines as inspiration.) You don’t have to take yourself too seriously.“A lot of people like to be serious and sexy,” Lori said, but a mix of expressions will give you more photo options. She also tries to make people smile and laugh to get some shots on the sweeter end of the sexy spectrum.As for posing, she suggests you relax and just keep moving to avoid obsessing over every movement and facial expression. “Once [people] start slowing down, people start thinking more, second-guessing facial expressions or how their body looks. If [the shoot] is fast and moving, then they don’t really think about it as much and it helps the nerves go away quicker.”You don’t have to dress up as someone else.If you don’t wear a lot of makeup in your everyday life, you might not want to spackle on the cosmetics for your shoot. “Some people get shell-shocked by seeing their faces all done up if they’re not used to it.” However, a boudoir shoot can be an opportunity to try an outfit or style you wouldn’t normally—wear something skimpy, vamp it up, go for ‘40s pinup styling, anything. “If there’s anything in particular the person you’re doing the photos for really likes, you can kind of shop for them,” Lori said. “Just make sure you’re comfortable.” You don’t have to splurge on new lingerie.If you have something you know you look good in, don’t feel like you have to forsake it for shiny new stuff. “With older pieces, you can’t really tell that they’re older by the time you’re in front of the camera. Things photograph differently than how they look in real life.” (The only thing she suggests not wearing? Pieces with lots of boning. “It doesn’t move with the body as much as you think it would.”)In fact, you don’t even have to be in your undies.Lori’s portfolio features women wearing everything from skimpy lingerie to robes to knee-length dresses. Those not as comfortable with getting photographed in their skivvies might want to consider leggings or form-fitting dresses, as they show off curves without showing skin. You don’t have to be photographed from every angle.Lori recommends working with your photographer to find poses that complement your body type. “Some people want to hide certain body parts or accentuate certain body parts. … [We] formulate a game plan from that to help with the posing.”You don’t have to go through it alone.Get moral support from someone you really trust, like a sister or best friend. This can be helpful for deciding what outfits to bring, or even for the day of the shoot. “Some people like the feedback their friends give [during a shoot],” Lori said. “It’s just a little confidence booster to bring someone along.” Of course, if you find their presence is making you more nervous, don’t be shy. Ask them to step out.You don’t have to do it for someone else.“The majority of people are like, ‘This gift is for someone, but it’s also for me,’” Lori said. Some clients pose just for themselves, often to celebrate meeting weight-loss or fitness goals or reaching a milestone birthday.Photos courtesy of Revival PinupsGet portrait-ready with these tips from the Groupon Guide:Tips for Composed Portraits from a Pro PhotographerHer first tip? Relax.The Solutions to Seven Common Makeup and Beauty ProblemsYou'll be camouflaging pimples in no time.